South Tangerang, May 12th 2026 — PT Garuda Maintenance Facility Aero Asia Tbk (GMF), as part of the Garuda Indonesia Group, has officially commenced operations at an aircraft maintenance facility at Pondok Cabe Airport to expand its maintenance capacity and strengthen its turbo propeller aircraft maintenance services. The facility enables GMF to perform maintenance on up to two turbo propeller aircraft simultaneously. The inauguration ceremony was attended by GMF CEO, Andi Fahrurrozi, Pelita Air CEO, Dendy Kurniawan, as well as Head of Airworthiness Certification Team of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Transportation, Boedhi Raharjo Suharto.
This business strategy represents GMF’s effort to optimize the utilization of its aircraft hangar capacity in Cengkareng, which currently operates at a relatively high utilization rate. Through the Pondok Cabe facility, turbo propeller aircraft maintenance operations will be centralized in Pondok Cabe, allowing GMF’s main facility in Cengkareng to focus on jet aircraft maintenance services.
GMF CEO, Andi Fahrurrozi, stated that the development of the Pondok Cabe facility is part of GMF’s strategic initiative to address the continuously growing needs of the aviation industry, while also facilitating smoother turbo propeller aircraft maintenance operations by providing more adequate flight slots for aircraft movements at Pondok Cabe. “Through the utilization of this facility, we are able to provide more flexible and integrated maintenance services to support airline operational needs, while also helping reduce flight operational congestion at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport,” he said.
Meanwhile, Pelita Air CEO, Dendy Kurniawan, stated that Pondok Cabe Airport holds significant historical value in Pelita Air’s journey, having served as the foundation of the airline’s operational growth for more than five decades. Building upon this legacy, the strategic collaboration with GMF is expected to further strengthen collaboration and competitiveness within the national aviation industry.
“Pondok Cabe Airport holds a very important meaning in Pelita Air’s long journey. It is where Pelita Air grew, developed, and built its operational foundation for more than five decades. Therefore, this strategic collaboration with GMF represents our concrete step in strengthening the competitiveness of the national aviation industry through mutually reinforcing collaboration, openness in sharing capabilities, and synergistic optimization of potential to support the independence and advancement of Indonesia’s aviation industry,” said Dendy.
GMF’s maintenance facility in Pondok Cabe will focus on turbo propeller aircraft maintenance, including ATR 72-212A and ATR 42 series aircraft, with maintenance capabilities up to and including C Check and annual scheduled maintenance. To support these operations, GMF has conducted various preparations since early 2026, including personnel readiness, equipment preparation, workplace facilities, and technical documentation to ensure the smooth execution of the first maintenance project scheduled to commence in June 2026.
GMF also ensures that the implementation of quality and maintenance standards at Pondok Cabe remains consistent with GMF’s facility in Cengkareng through strengthened quality assurance systems, internal audits, and compliance with aviation regulations and oversight from the relevant authorities. In addition to obtaining approval from Indonesia’s Directorate of Airworthiness and Aircraft Operations (DKPPU), the facility is currently undergoing certification processes with several international aviation authorities, including CASA Australia, CASA Fiji, CASA Papua New Guinea, and CAAP Philippines, which are currently awaiting follow-up audits from each respective authority. In line with these efforts, GMF will also continue the certification process with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to further strengthen its global-standard maintenance service capabilities.
The development of the Pondok Cabe facility forms part of GMF’s strategic initiative to strengthen its maintenance capabilities and expand service capacity in response to the growing demands of the aviation industry.
“Going forward, GMF will continue to expand its business through various strategic collaborations to support the company’s growth and deliver increasingly optimal maintenance services for both the national and global aviation industry,” Andi concluded.
